Quote:
Originally Posted by winkosmosis
I don't understand how the heat could result in thrust from the exit port. The heating and expansion of air wouldn't push air out the back any more than it would push it out the front. The way I see it, it should have no net effect on flow.
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It looks to my non-aeronautical engineering mind the the shape of the P51D radiator housing is a classic air-foil and would form a lifting surface and that lift would oppose the lift generated by the wings. It's position slightly behind the wings would put its "lift" behind the aircrafts presumed center of gravity, pitching the nose upward. The enlarged exit duct looks like it would be a spoiler to that opposing lift and therefore reduce drag. In a seat of the pants measurement, reduced drag is increased thrust.